It Is Not Just a Tabernacle

I really enjoy reading Richmond Catholic. For the most part it is a good window on the tension between the “Spirit of Vatican II” folks and the “Reform of the Reform” folks. A recent post highlighted the new altar at St. Benedict Chapel in Chesapeake. One comment on this post cut me to the quick.

all those tabernacle idolators please take note. even the tridentine church is trying to get across that we go to mass to worship God; not the tabernacle, not the priest, not the church building itself, etc. etc.

we are to grow in our faith. we are not sheep led to the slaughter. websters dictionary defines "piety" as dutiful, habitual revence for God or the gods (?). grow up and experience resurrection...

“Tabernacle idolators”? Ouch! I admit that I am one of those who want to see the Tabernacle in a prominent place in the sanctuary. I want to show reverence to the True Physical Presence of Our Lord. The Tabernacle alone is not reverenced. It is what is inside that merits my adoration. That is the whole point of the tabernacle lamp. When the lamp or candle is burning it indicates the Blessed Sacrament is within.

And yes, we do go to Mass to worship God. But we worship God in the context of the Mystery of the Trinity. We worship God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We unite the sacrifice on the altar with the Sacrifice on Calvary. Not only do we worship God, but we receive Him--Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist. That is the point of Mass. We believe in the resurrection of Easter Sunday but know that it cannot happen without Good Friday. Just as we cannot throw away the Old Testament because we have the New Testament, we cannot ignore the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ because we have the Resurrection.